Life, 1922-07-13 · page 15 of 36
Life — July 13, 1922 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a domestic comedy sketch about a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Newleigh, debating what to name their two-week-old daughter. Mrs. Newleigh proposes various names—Stella, Ruth, Eleanor, Marcia—each triggering her husband's objections or associations. When she suggests "Marcia" (feminine for Mars, the war god), he objects that they haven't had peace since she "started to christen her." The humor relies on gentle marital dynamics: the husband's exasperation with his wife's decision-making, and the running joke that naming the baby is impossibly difficult. The accompanying illustration shows a man in bed appearing exhausted while others celebrate around him—humorously suggesting the naming debate has worn him out. This reflects early 20th-century domestic satire conventions.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE .: Twin Bed-Time Stories Benedict Names the Baby CENE: Bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Newleigh. They have retired. Mrs. Newteicu: Benedict! Our baby’s two weeks old and we haven't named her yet! (No response.) Don't pretend to be asleep, I heard you breathing, Benepicr (sleepily): Haven't learned to sleep without it yet. Mrs. Neweicu (sharply): You know hat | mean. You weren't breathing as if you were cep! Renepicr: Was, though. ‘Night, m’ love. Mrs. NewLeicn (after an ominous pause): 1 going to say anything? Benepict (realizing the folly of deceit): ime the baby first thing in the morning. New.eicn (emphatically): We'll name her perfectly foolish to have to tell people our ighter hasn't been named yet just because we haven't cn able to decide on one. Benepict: Don’t tell ’em that, then. a secret. Mrs. NewLetcu (Benedict had better not go too far): ow're being ridiculous! Benepicr (wearily and hopelessly): We'll name it in the morning, then. You won't meet anybody before then at will want to know. Now roll over, dear, and sleep. Mrs. NewLeicH (grimly): Have you any sugges- tions? Benepict: Yes, let’s go to sleep. Mrs. NewLetcu (a hint of tears in her voice): O-h. ou don’t even care enough for your own child to want to give it a name! Benepict: But Leila,it was your idea to wait a few Aren't Oh, we'll Tell ‘em her days until she develops a little individuality before we label her. Mrs, Neweicu (very dejectedly): But I was read- ing about the meaning of names to-day and— Benepict: Shoot—What's the one you've picked? Mrs. Neweicu: Stella! It means “star.” Her little eyes make me think of it. Benepicr: Nothing doing on Stella. Call her “Milky Way,” if you want—her appetite made me think of it. But forget Stella. . NEwLeIGH (coldly): Let's hear what you have Benepict (dreamily): Ruth's kind of a nice name. Mrs. NewLeicu (quickly): Yes, you always did think that was a nice name. Everybody says you were en- gaged to that horrid Ruth Bartlett before I came along in time to save you. Benepict: How about Eleanor, then? Mrs. Newtetcu: Do you INSIST on naming our child after one of your former sweethearts? It’s hardly customary, I think, Benepict (a trifle taken aback): Well, if you must have a starry name—how about Marcia? Mrs. NEWLEIGH (suspiciously): What's starry about that? Benepict: Feminine for Mars, you know, the war star. We haven't had much peace since you started to christen her. Mrs. NewLetcGH: Oh—OH. (She’s off!) All you do is to insult me even when we're talking about our little d-daughter. Benepict (hurriedly): There, dearest, we'll call her Stella. It's the name-I liked all the time. (Curtain. ) TH, Ls “I was dancing last night and I’m so tired.” . “Feet ache, I suppose?” “No. My shoulders hurt.” comicbooks.com